Audacity is a free, cross-platform audio recording program. Like wikis, the basic functionality is easy enough to be accessible to people with limited technological familiarity, but there are also advanced options that make it a powerful tool for more experienced users as well.
Download & Install Audacity & LAME_enc.dll
You will need to download two files to your computer: the Audacity installer package and a file called "lame_enc.dll":
Click the link and choose "Save" to download the .exe file.
Save it to somewhere easily accessible, like your Desktop
Once downloaded, double-click the file to install Audacity
Follow all instructions in the install process (use the default options when prompted)
Lame_Enc.dll
Click the link and choose "Save" to download the .dll file
Save it to somewhere out of the way, but remember where you save it (I recommend putting it somewhere on your local hard drive as opposed to a networked drive; perhaps in a designated Downloads or My Music folder)
The first time you save a recording as an .mp3, Audacity will prompt you to locate lame_enc.dll (you'll only have to do this once).
Screencasts
North Hunterdon High School library media specialist Martha Hickson has created three excellent screencasts on some basic functions of Audacity:
Download & Install Audacity & LAME_enc.dll
You will need to download two files to your computer: the Audacity installer package and a file called "lame_enc.dll":
Audacity
Lame_Enc.dll
Screencasts
North Hunterdon High School library media specialist Martha Hickson has created three excellent screencasts on some basic functions of Audacity:
Also, expert podcaster Dr. Chris Shamburg of New Jersey City University demonstrates how to save your Audacity files in mp3 format.
Further Reading
Dube, Ryan. (2010, May 6). 3 Audacity Tips to Enhance Your Recorded Interviews. MakeUseOf.com.